California American Viticultural Area's

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List of Wineries in Nevada County

There are 15 wineries located in the Nevada County region of the Sierra Foothill Viticultural Area,14 of which offer tasting either through a standard tasting room or by appointment at the winery. This is a high altitude wine region with most wineries and vineyards well above 2000 feet and one winery is located above 6,000 feet. These are wineries with significant temperature differences between the hottest and coolest part of the day. In the summer there can be a 35 degree difference in temperature. This is a land of Bordeaux and Rhone grapes with many moving to the Italian varietals.

Avanguardia Wines - Nevada City, California

The WineryThe winery is located in a rural area about a fifteen minute drive north of Nevada City. Built on a small knoll, it overlooks a scenic mountain valley. The valley is scattered with massive oaks and Ponderosa Pines at about the 2200-foot elevation and not far from the south fork of the Yuba River.

The WinemakerThe winery owners, Robert and Marilyn Chrisman, named the winery after the Italian word for avant-garde. Robert, the winemaker at Avanguardia, uses that spirit of innovation and creativity in the production of the estate wines.

The WineryOwners Steve & Marsha Burch operate a tasting room and gift shop in historic downtown Grass Valley. The tasting room is beautifully done in a modern style but manages to embrace the quaint, historic feel of downtown Grass Valley. Besides wine, the tasting room has assorted wine-related gifts for sale.

The WinemakerSteven Burch is owner and winemaker at Burch Hall & Coyoteville Winery. Steven received a degree in Viticulture & Enology from the University of California at Davis. Prior to opening Burch Hall, he worked as a Research Winemaker at Mondavi/Woodbridge and assistant winemaker at Flora Springs Winery in Napa.

The WineryThe winery is located at the 1800-foot elevation on the side of a small valley surrounded by towering pine and oak forests. The twenty acre site, which is scattered with older farm buildings and vineyards, was originally a dairy farm. The old buildings are being cleverly preserved and incorporated into the winery design. The small, but inviting tasting room was originally a blacksmith shop where...

The WinemakerHusband and wife team Henry Coufos and Janet Wheeling are the co-winemakers at Coufos Cellars. They had a great love of agriculture and decided to purchase a farm in the Foothills region, finally settling on the old dairy near the gold mining town of Rough & Ready. They decided to combine their love of farming with their equal love of great wine, producing...

The WineryDouble Oak is situated roughly 15 miles north of Nevada City on Sierra Ridge, not far from Malakoff Diggins State Park. The beautiful, light and airy tasting room is decorated with artwork created by local artists. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch so you can spend time taking in the foothill ambiance on the tasting room patio.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Double Oak is Bob Hilsman. He endeavors to produce wines with as little manipulation as possible, allowing the mountain terroir to take center stage.

The WineryThe estate is located at the 1800 foot elevation and is surrounded by 230 acres of vineyards. The tasting room is in Nevada City and is beautifully designed around the mountain vineyards theme. The tasting room sells not only wines, but a large selection of great wine gifts as well.

The WinemakerConsulting winemaker Jed Steele works closely with winery owner Dennis Ball to create the wines of Indian Springs. Jed Steele has a long list of credits from his long career in winemaking. His career started at Stony Hill Winery in the late 1960s. He was the founding winemaker at Kendall Jackson, winemaker at Edmeades in Mendocino County and is now a sought...

The WineryMario and Linda Clough planted their first vineyard in 1999, and the winery followed in 2002. Wine tasting is offered at both the winery and a tasting room located in downtown Grass Valley next to the theatre. The tasting room is invitingly styled and offers the sale of gourmet food items, gift baskets, and logo clothes as well as wine.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Lucchesi is Kristen Vartan. Kristen came to Lucchesi from Frank Family Vineyards in the Napa Valley where she was the assistant Winemaker.

The WineryMontoliva Vineyard & Winery is a celebration of the Italian immigrant history of the Chicago Park region. Along the lines of that theme, the boutique winery creates a fascinating Super Tuscan style wine which is a blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Aglianico. The winery grounds also include an extensive herb garden for visitors to enjoy during the summer months.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Montoliva Winery is owner and vineyard manager Mark Henry. He was a home winemaker who read several books on vineyard management prior to leaving his home in Seattle and settling in the Sierra Foothills. He chose to highlight the Italian varietal potential of the area which is reflected in the bold style of the Montoliva wines.

The WineryOwners Mike and Diane Naggiar began as Viticultural hobbyists in Saratoga, CA. After 32 years in marketing and sales for Hewlett Packard, Mike decided to retire and grow grapes full time. After a long search, the Naggiars found 160 acres in Grass Valley and started their vineyard. After several years of vineyard management, the family decided to start a winery in this region of big skies,...

The WinemakerThe wines of Naggiar Vineyards are made with the help of consulting winemaker, Derek Irwin. Mr. Irwin has a degree from University of California, Davis, and years of winemaking experience with such wineries as Cosentino, in Yountville, and Bouchaine and Viansa, in Los Carneros. He is currently consulting for wineries across California, South America, Italy,...

The WineryThe winery has been operating in downtown Nevada City since 1980, located in the historic Miners Foundry Garage. It was the first bonded winery to be opened in Nevada County since Prohibition. The tasting room is a beautifully modern, bright, and airy facility with great gourmet food supplies and wine gifts for sale.. The tasting room is located one block west of the main street of Nevada City...

The WinemakerWinemaker Mark Foster has a B.S degree in Biology, and a master’s degree in Zoology, Industrial Engineering and Enology. Having worked previously at Smother’s Brothers, Chalone, and Madroña wineries, Mark came to Nevada City in 1992.

The WineryThe Mediterranean influenced tasting room and winery is located on a stone terraced hilltop, with beautiful gardens and a wonderful view of the local foothill region. The winery offers a unique twist on the tasting method, allowing tasting on the terrace. The tasting includes tasting notes and special "pairings" to enhance the experience. The co-owners of the winery have been big supporters of...

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Pilot Peak is co-owner Lynn Wilson, an Aeronautical Engineer by training. To build his winemaking skills, Wilson completed course work at the University of California at Davis, and worked alongside consulting winemaker Derek Irwin.

The WineryThe winery has incredible views of the Sacramento Valley and Coast Ranges. Located on a hill top the winery is able to capture the afternoon sun which allows the facility to be 100% solar. The facility was all built by hand, including the hand dug wine cave near the entrance to the tasting room. There is an outdoor eating area with patio tables and a picnic lunch with an outdoor kitchen coming...

The WinemakerWinemaker John Chase creates small-batch, handcrafted wines for the Sierra Knolls estate. He is assisted in this endeavor by his wife Linda Chase, and partners Steve and Brenda Taylor. The partners were all home winemakers prior to opening Sierra Knolls.

The WinerySierra Starr has two tasting rooms, one at the winery and one in downtown Grass Valley. The one located in the historic downtown region of Grass Valley is a very modern facility with a long bar to accommodate a large number of tasters. The tasting room at the winery has a real cabin in the woods feel, with semi-rustic wood interior and lots of natural light. The winery is open only during...

The WinemakerThe Starrs owned a nursery in Monterey Bay when they purchased the vineyard in Grass Valley with the intention of moving their nursery to the estate. Instead, Phil Starr planted more vineyards and opened a winery, as so often happens when the vineyard and wine making bug strikes.

The WineryThe winery was established in 1987 in a restored vintage red barn. The tasting room and winery are located in an enchanting site among towering pines and vineyards. The sunny days and cool nights at the 2500 foot elevation allow for wines with great acid and depth of flavor.

The WinemakerGary Smith, with his wife Christina, is the second generation of his family to run the vineyard and winery. They have enlisted the aid of their three sons to assist the family winemaking efforts.

The WineryThe name Solune is a combination of the French words for sun and moon. When the 15 acre estate was purchased in 2001, it had three acres already planted to vineyards. The winery is in old red barn surrounded by towering pines and includes a small tasting area. Outdoors, you will find picnic tables and a great spot to enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

The WinemakerOriginally from Quebec, Canada, Jacques Mercier took a Sommelier diploma program as his first step in developing an overall passion for wine and winemaking. He later became an award-winning home winemaker, and then went on to become a certified wine judge. He decided to be a full-time winemaker after moving to California, and bought the property near Grass...

The WineryAt 6000 feet, this is the highest and coldest winery in the state of California. It is in close competition for that claim with a winery in Colorado for the highest in the country. The red barn winery is located in a gorgeous mountain setting, complete with pines and quaking aspens.

The WinemakerThe winemaker at Truckee River is Russ Jones. Russ received his degree in enology from the University of California at Davis, traveling from there to Oregon to work at Sokol Blosser Winery. A Lake Tahoe native, he and wife Joan moved back to the region and, in 1989, opened the first winery in the region.